Chapter Sixteen
JD fretted through his stack of papers and contracts on his desk in his triple railcar suites. He couldn't keep his mind on business after Lila's conversation; he brought her with him to San Francisco for the very first time. His beautiful mistress was napping, again—-to his chagrin.
He didn't want to leave her behind until he knew what he wanted to do with her news. He liked her—-attractive and kind but marriage? He had always chosen his mistresses carefully. The young widow had never conceived in fifteen years of marriage and now she is carrying his child? He was bumfuzzled—he was old enough to be her father and she was even younger than his beloved Maris.
She hadn't asked him for money or a commitment—-just told him simply with huge tears in her eyes.
"I don't know what to do."
He sputtered around and begrudgingly held her as she cried. She had been teary on the ride from Denver to San Francisco. She knew better than to push him for a solution. Lila carefully dressed as he chose for her and served him coffee and meals on the train. She gave herself to his distracted coupling on the train despite her nausea and swollen breasts. She knew she had no other option but to wait on JD's decision for her life.
"Could he give up his own child to an orphanage?"
"Would Lila raise the child as its nanny?"
"Could he even marry a woman of such low standing? A mere manager's wife in one of his companies? Without savings or income?
"What if it is—heaven forbid a girl?"
"Could he pass Lila off in society?"
"Would my lovely Maris raise the child for me? He could pay Lila off, keep the child, and give Maris the foundling or distant cousin per say to raise?"
"Men will look at me differently with power knowing how virile I am to father a child at my age-it shall give me leverage and respect."
He organized the papers again. He read the telegram from the Peterson's and Maris and the Palace Hotel that she was safe and chaperoned by Mr and Mrs Jarrod Barkley. He placed them in the rubbish bin.
"At least she is with a good family since Peterson and his wife got themselves hurt. If anything had happened to her—I can't even."
"Hmmmm, the invitation to Pine Crest tonight? I assume Maris will take my place. She represents me so well. I want to see James David. I doubt I can make it in time anyhow but—-what do I do with Lila?"
He looked over at her. She looked forlorn looking out the train window with tears in her eyes. He shrugged his shoulders in frustration. "I am no closer to a solution than I was in Denver."
—&—
Nick spied Maris as soon as they entered the Palace ballroom.
He smiled, "Green again. And she's wearing the orchid." he said to himself.
They made their way through the receiving line and Maris curtseyed to her friends.
She extended her white-gloved hand to Nick. He held it tightly and rubbed his thumb on her palm; her deep intake of breath thrilled him.
He winked, "See you on the dance floor, Bella Dona."
"I moved some placards around. We are at the same table now."
Elisabeth overheard the exchange and laughed.
Maris blushed and moved the receiving line on. She kept her eye on Nick as they walked across the room. Jarrod looked at the couple with some hesitance thinking of the prenuptial agreement and the wrath of JD Autonberry.
—&—
Maris joined the table just as the first course was being served. Five courses were part of the evening for the students to show off their etiquette lessons and to show the parents that they were preparing their students for high society.
Nick and Jarrod stood up quickly; Elisabeth smiled as Maris graciously sat down.
"I was able to manage this table of four after some late minute additions to the ball. I rescued myself from the head table."
"I like our seats just fine."
"James David is at the table with the boys and five other new prospective students."
Elisabeth noted, "JT and Chip are the grandsons of Victoria Barkley. They have impeccable manners—-when they remember."
Jarrod smiled and looked at his wife lovingly, "And do not count yourself less, Elisabeth, you have been an impeccable mother and aunt to both boys."
"We still have William and heaven forbid, little Benjamin he already runs me ragged."
Nick agreed, "Yes Lissy, I couldn't have done it without you. Peg would be proud. And for William, I doubt he will gray your hair like JT but my little man, Benjamin, he's a fireball."
Elisabeth lowered her head in modesty and Maris smiled in approval. Nick caught her look and looked at her in appreciation that she was pleased by his mention of Peg. She didn't seem perturbed at all that it had spilled out before he realized.
The waiter filled their glasses with wine and they sipped theirs and discussed small talk. Elisabeth complimented Maris on her dress and orchid.
"Thank you, the dress was from the House of Falcone, and the orchid from a dear friend."
Elisabeth stared at Nick's smirk, "A dear friend, Maris?"
He shrugged his shoulders, "I have good taste, what can I say?"
Maris blushed and demurred at him. He sat a little taller with the affection he saw in her eyes.
He reached under the table and squeezed her hand.
Jarrod looked over and nudged Elisabeth, "Look at the boys."
The three boys were pulling out chairs for three young ladies from Marymount. The dishes had been cleared and the string quartet was beginning to play.
"I like this. Raising gentlemen. Nick? Look at Chip."
Nick was only staring and whispering something to Maris.
Elisabeth cleared her throat, "Nick? Nick?"
He jerked his head back but still continued to hold her hand under the table.
"Look at Chip," she nodded to his son.
Chip had bowed and taken a beautiful young blonde girl, about his age, to the dance floors—the prettiest one in the room and probably two years older than his son. He carefully moved with her around the wooden floor. James David had escorted a young lady he obviously knew from the table and JT was asking her friend to dance
"Our boys are growing up, aren't they?" with some regret in his voice.
"Yes, they are," with the same tone in Jarrod's voice.
Elisabeth caught Maris's eye, "Gentlemen, the two matrons at the table would like to dance."
"Matrons?" Nick guffawed, "More like the prettiest women in the room! Come on Maris, let's show these whippersnappers how young their folks are."
Maris stood up and Nick took her hand. Jarrod was next to Elisabeth and joined them. He kept looking over at the couple.
"Yesterday I had such high hopes that Nick would not get his heart broken—-but today?" Thinking of what Mr Peterson had blurted out to him.
"Jarrod? You seem distracted?"
"Just thinking about this afternoon," He quickly rebounded.
"Hmm, I know you better than that. Something is worrying you."
"Yes," he chuckled, "if we can get home before midnight and recreate the afternoon—"
"Oh Jarrod, I guess you will tell me in your own time. Let's enjoy the night with our boys. I am so excited about the new school."
"And the evening." and he kissed her on the cheek.
—&—-
Maris and Nick were the model of decorum on the dance floor, sharing only a few dances—-but Nick made sure he made each one memorable for her with whispers and touches of his hand. She danced with many of the older men in the room but kept her eye on Nick all night.
Jarrod rescued her from an older man who kept time mumbling quite loudly. He saw her trying to be kind and distance herself from his dance.
"Maris, there you are. I was looking for you. You promised me a dance."
"Thank you, Mr Barkley. Please excuse me."
He whirled her across the room.
"Here again, a Barkley has rescued me."
He laughed, "I think it is you that gave us such a fine week."
"I have enjoyed every minute of it."
He hesitated for a moment and Maris noticed.
"Is there something else?"
He took an intake of air trying to decide if he should broach the issue without Nick's permission.
Jarrod didn't get the chance as he heard, "Welcome Mr. Autonberry. We are so happy to have you join us. Your daughter and grandson have stood in your stead and have made you proud." The Headmaster announced.
Maris stopped in place as JD announced in his commanding voice, "Of course they do. They are Autonberrys."
Maris paled and took Jarrod's arm; she grew weak-kneed as he led her to a chair.
"Oh sweet Jesus, hear my prayer."
